The original museum building, along with its entire collection, was destroyed during the 1944 Battle of Guam in which American forces liberated the island from Japanese control.

[4] The Governor also tasked the Guam Museum with the preservation of Spanish colonial structures and researching the island's history, folklore, and geology.

[7] The historic Fort Santa Agueda in Hagåtña was originally proposed as a possible choice for the Guam Museum's new location.

[2] Construction on the facility, which will house artifacts spanning the island's 4,000 year history, is being funded Hotel Occupancy Tax bond, established by the Public Law 30-228.

[9] In a speech at the groundbreaking, Governor Eddie Calvo stated that the Guam Museum would lead to the economic revitalization of Hagåtña, including the Plaza de España, "This will re-energize our capital city to its greatest heights.

"[2] Calvo also promised that Guamanian historical artifacts housed in the Philippines, Europe and Hawaii will return to Guam to be added to the museum.

[11] Critics cited the Museum's high cost and location, which will occupy 27 percent of an existing Hagåtña city park, as causes for concern.

[9] The museum is constructed on elevated ground and the institution's most important artifacts will be housed on the three-story building's upper floors, out of reach of potential floodwater.